The official website of Studio DEEN revealed on its website on Thursday that it is producing a new TV anime adaptation of popular Chinese web novel Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage. The anime will premiere in January on Tokyo MX, Sun TV, KBS Kyoto, TV Aichi, and AT-X.
The main staff were also revealed and consist of:
- Director: Kou Suzuki (Slayers Gorgeous, Yumeiro Patissiere)
- Character Design: Makoto Iino (School-Live! chief animation director, Buso Renkin key animation)
- Art Director: Hirofumi Hane
- Chief Animation Director: Yumiko Ishii (Attack on Titan, Monster Musume episode animation director)
- Color Design: Kazuhisa Yamabe
- Sound Director: Kazuya Tanaka (.hack//Quantum, Fire Emblem)
- Sound Production: HALF HP STUDIO (D.Gray-man, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
- Anime Production: Studio DEEN (Fate/stay night, Higurashi no naku koro ni)
- Production: Reikenzan Production Committee
A member of cast was also revealed:
- Tsubasa Yonaga (Nagisa Hazuki from Free!) as Wang Lu
Reikenzan is adapted from the Chinese online fantasy novel Congqian You Zuo Ling Jian Shan (Once Upon A Time There Was A Spirit Sword Mountain), which has been publishing since August 2013. Written by Guowang Bixia, whose name literally translates to His Majesty the King, the story is currently in its 13th volume. An online manhua adaptation has been publishing since August 2014 and has 270 million reported views.
Tencent, the Chinese Internet company which owns the online portal QQ.com where the novel is published, will participate in the production of the Reikenzan. The novel’s listing on QQ.com indicates that the story is at times serious, and at times comedic. A Mandarin Chinese dub will also be produced for broadcast in China.
The opening theme song will be performed by Niconico artists Soraru and Mafumafu, while the ending theme song will be performed by Niconico artist Kakichoco.
The studio has also opened a teaser website for the anime with the following background image:
The anime’s main visual was also revealed:
Synopsis of the series:
Since its founding in the year 4233 of the Nine Provinces calendar, the spirit sword clan has been producing first-class martial arts talent. Two thousand years later, the clan, which adheres to the principles of peace and spiritual development, seeks to find new disciples by holding a grand tournament. One of these candidates is 12-year-old Wang Lu.
Source: MAL, Studio DEEN
